Across 3 studies, 1 reported a moderate beneficial effect of bovine colostrum on reducing necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), while 2 neutral studies—including a large systematic review (n=670) and an RCT (n=232)—found no significant effect. The predominant effect size across all studies is mixed (small to moderate), and the most studied population is preterm infants. Evidence base is too small and inconsistent to draw firm conclusions.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Only 1 of 3 studies reported a statistically significant result; the other two, including the highest-quality evidence (systematic review, n=670), found no significant effect, suggesting that any potential benefit may be small or inconsistent. The sole beneficial study was a narrative review with a low evidence score (1) and no specific effect size data, limiting its weight. Publication bias cannot be ruled out but is not strongly indicated given the neutral findings in the majority of studies.
LOS (BC: 23/113 vs. CF: 14/116, p=0.08)
from: Bovine colostrum as a fortifier to human milk in very preterm infants - A randomized contrincidence of NEC (BC: 3/115 vs. CF: 5/117, p=0.72, unadjusted values)
from: Bovine colostrum as a fortifier to human milk in very preterm infants - A randomized contrBC has also been shown to be safe at low doses without adverse effects in newborns.
from: Nutritional and health effects of bovine colostrum in neonates.the evidence regarding adverse events was limited
from: The role of bovine colostrum in feeding intolerance in preterm neonates: a systematic reviNo significant effects were observed for NEC
incidence of NEC (BC: 3/115 vs. CF: 5/117, p = 0.72, unadjusted values)
BC supplementation has been shown to be efficient in preventing several disorders, including rotavirus diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis in animal models of prematurity and some newborn studies.